Vegan Banana Bread

Here’s a classic banana bread recipe with a vegan twist – it will fool everyone! Bananas and a flaxseed egg provide the moisture, making this banana bread very close in flavor and texture to its non-vegan counterpart.

Vegan Banana Bread: A riff on a classic

When I adapt a classic recipe to make it vegan, I start with a solid non-vegan recipe. For this vegan banana bread I used this banana bread recipe which is one of the most popular recipes on Simply Recipes!

From there I looked at what I needed to switch: butter and eggs.

Which oil is best for vegan banana bread?

Butter is the easy switch; it’s just a fat for a fat. For this particular recipe, I used walnut oil because I like the slightly nutty flavor it adds. However, walnut oil can be a bit more difficult to source, so my next suggestion would be to reach for avocado oil or coconut oil.

If you want to use coconut oil, you’ll need to heat it so it’s liquid when you add it to the batter. Coconut oil can be a bit unstable in the microwave as steam builds up and cracks the oil. I recommend melting it in a small saucepan over low heat on the stovetop.

What is a flax egg?

However, replacing the egg is a bit trickier. When it comes to vegan baking, there are a few ways to substitute an egg. For starters, there are companies that make a powder that can work 1:1 for an egg. However, it’s not always the easiest to find, and I like to use what I have on hand.

Enter the flax egg to make banana bread without egg. Flaxseeds, whether whole or ground, turn into a gelatinous mixture when combined with water—or, as I use in this recipe, almond milk. This mix is ​​a great way to add some moisture to quick bread and mimics some of the effect of an egg.

• Continue reading! How to Make a Flax Egg

I like to keep whole flaxseeds on hand and grind them in a spice grinder as needed. Flaxseeds are high in fat, which means they go rancid a little quicker after grinding, so I recommend storing them tightly covered in the fridge or freezer.

Wait a minute, is sugar vegan?!

What you should keep in mind with vegan baked goods: Sugar.

Sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets. Sugar cane is processed with bone char; it makes the sugar white. The bone char doesn’t actually end up in the sugar, but due to the process, most vegans avoid this type of sugar.

There are many vegan sugar brands that are readily available at the larger grocery stores.

The perfect bananas for banana bread

When it comes to banana bread, you want bananas that are well past their prime. I often wait until the bananas are mostly brown and soft.

Of course I’m not always ready to bake bread when the bananas are ripe. How to freeze bananas for later:

• Peel bananas and place on a baking sheet.
• Place the sheet in the freezer and keep the bananas frozen until ready to use. Once the bananas freeze on the tray, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag.
• When it’s time for banana bread, let it thaw in the fridge or at room temperature and you’re good to go.

Favorite mix-ins for vegan banana bread

One of my favorite things about making banana bread is all the options I have for mix-ins. Add 1/2 cup toasted, chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts. Add carob chips for a chocolate chip like experience. Or look for vegan chocolate chips. I’ve also been known to add a teaspoon or two of cinnamon!

• Get more ideas! Best mix-ins for banana bread

Store and freeze banana bread

Finally, once you’ve made your banana bread, be sure to store it well. Place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to three days.

To freeze banana bread, slice and wrap each piece individually and place in a freezer-safe container. Pull out slices as you like and thaw at room temperature. Banana bread is also great toasted.